Slurry fill method and valve

Abstract

A chromatography column has valve and method for filling it with a slurry of media, the valve utilizing a piston to compact the slurry in the column. The piston moves through a cavity in communication with both a slurry inlet and slurry ports which are in communication with the interior of the chromatography column. The piston assists in compacting the slurry within the column. The method of filling the column does not require disassembly of the column. The piston may also be utilized to change the valve position from a slurry fill position to a normal operation position or other position.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of filling a chromatography column comprising the steps of: 
       a) providing a slurry inlet valve having a cavity and a piston at least partially within the cavity, said valve communicating through said cavity with an interior volume of the column;  
       b) supplying a first amount of slurry through the slurry inlet valve into the interior volume of the column with a first portion of slurry remaining in the cavity of said valve;  
       c) at least temporarily securing the supply of slurry through the slurry inlet;  
       d) operating said piston from a first position to a second position within at least a portion of the cavity to force at least some of the slurry from the cavity into the interior volume of the column;  
       e) returning the piston from the second position towards the first position;  
       f) supplying a second amount of slurry through the slurry inlet valve into the interior volume of the column with a second portion of slurry remaining in the cavity of said valve;  
       g) at least temporarily securing the supply of slurry through the slurry inlet; and  
       h) operating said piston from about the first position towards the second position to force at least some of the slurry from the cavity into the interior volume of the column.